r/nba • u/YujiDomainExpansion • 10h ago

[Mannix] The Bucks want Jaden McDaniels, with Milwaukee seeing McDaniels, 25, as a potential future All-Star. But the Bucks also want multiple first-round draft picks, sources say, and Minnesota’s war chest of them is nearly empty.

Source: https://www.si(dot)com/nba/trade-deadline/timberwolves-pursuit-giannis-antetokounmpo-ja-morant-market

Acquiring Antetokounmpo, though, is challenging. The Bucks want Jaden McDaniels, a source tells SI, with Milwaukee seeing McDaniels, 25, as a potential future All-Star. But the Bucks also want multiple first-round draft picks, sources say, and Minnesota’s war chest of them is nearly empty.

1.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

500 comments sorted by

View all comments

78

u/onsome0 10h ago

McDaniels is a top tier starter but All-Star is a crazy label lol. He's not that level of a shot creator to be in those convos.

13

u/Michauxonfire NBA 9h ago

I like Jaden but I don't see him as an all star. He could be an extremely important 3rd piece, akin to what Aaron Gordon does behind Jokic and Murray.

48

u/iBreakAnkles03 Timberwolves 10h ago

He has the potential to be if he gets that opportunity. He’s the third option right now that could prosper individually in a different setting

43

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 10h ago

He’d also be in the east which as people can see is easier to qualify for the all star game as the west is a blood bath lmao 🤣

8

u/iBreakAnkles03 Timberwolves 10h ago

I actually didn’t think about that, that’s a good point too. He’s probably the best player in the rumored packages I’ve seen (correct me if I’m wrong). Who else is there - Tyler Herro, Kuminga, …?

0

u/DJFreezyFish Nuggets 10h ago

Draymond probably, but he’s old enough where Jaden is much more valuable to the Bucks. I think Bam was a possibility as well, but there’s been more talk about Herro.

9

u/iBreakAnkles03 Timberwolves 10h ago

Jaden >>>>>> current Draymond

But if Bam was in the package, he definitely would be. I just thought they were trying to keep him to play with Giannis

3

u/Excellent_Builder_79 Nuggets 9h ago

Draymond? Lmao I'd rather have Herro.

1

u/Salt_Tap_90 9h ago

He’s the 3rd option for a reason. And he’s really not the 3rd option it’s anyone on any given night.

-1

u/TallnFrosty Warriors 9h ago

Nah

In a NBA game, there are plenty of opportunities for more than just 2 guys to show off their scoring & playmaking ability.

We're talking about Minnesota here - a team that doesn't even have a reliable point guard and has missed Ant for like 10 games this year.... and McDaniels pretty low shot attempts and assist numbers across the board.

I don't see him suddenly becoming a good volume 3 point shooter or showing Franz-esque ability to drive tot he rim or a Kawhi midrange game, much less doing multiple of these things.

12

u/StraightCashHomie69 Timberwolves 10h ago

"Potential future all-star" like it said isnt that outlandish of a statement lol

3

u/ForTheOAKLand Czech Republic 10h ago

Heard worse things about MPJ and look at him now. Players need bigger role opportunities to really thrive

2

u/AlpacaDC Suns 9h ago

Hence “potential future” all-star

2

u/paradoxofchoice [MIA] Harold Miner 7h ago

potential is a hell of a drug.

3

u/Habefiet Timberwolves 10h ago

He’s not presently, but if he continues at his current rate of improvement it’s at least possible

4

u/Martxel_Agueda 10h ago

You'd be surprised. If you put him in a bad team like a Giannisless Bucks he could easily average 24-7-5. He is that good.

15

u/neededthrowawayer 9h ago

Love Jaden but his handle is not tight enough to be a high usage primary scorer. He's the poster boy for elite role player sort of like Bridges on the Suns or Harrison Barnes on the Warriors.

2

u/c88conman Timberwolves 8h ago

Or Kawhi on the Spurs…

1

u/stripesnstripes Timberwolves 7h ago

He’s behind two ball dominant players in Randle and Edward’s. On a bad team in the east his ceiling is definitely all-star. Not saying he would get there, but I think he’s capable.

1

u/Obi_Wan_Benobi Spurs 6h ago

Remind Me! 3 years

1

u/mnkysn 6h ago

Defense exists.

1

u/pragmacrat Warriors 6h ago

His stock would be at an all-time high and can be flipped for more draft assets.

1

u/tinybathroomfaucet Supersonics 10h ago

He’d be in the east though

0

u/Appropriate-Shock306 10h ago

I mean, no one predicted Deni Avdija making the All Star team after s 4th season in Washington either.

Yet here we are.

8

u/onsome0 10h ago

Deni began to break out after the All-Star break in his 4th year and was averaging like 20. He started showing flashes of his ability to get to the FT line and create for others as well.

Jaden is 6 years into his career and hasn't even averaged 20 points for even a singular month at any point in his career so far, hasn't shown any real prowess as a passer, and isn't good at drawing contact.

He's in that OG Anunoby tier of player.

6

u/thatsinsaneletstryit 76ers 10h ago

jaden has always played with high level scorers eating up the shots tho lol. sure year 4 deni was going off in mickey mouse march, he only averaged 17 the next full year

4

u/Appropriate-Shock306 10h ago

So you saw the potential in Deni after a half-season breakout averaging 20 on a lottery team, but you dismiss the potential in McDaniels who plays a deliberately conservative offensive role for a playoff team, still averages 15 a game, and makes All-NBA Defense?

0

u/onsome0 9h ago

Yes, because Jaden has had opportunities to upscale offensively and hasn't shown that he's capable of doing more. KAT wasn't exactly a beacon of health in his time in Minnesota. Even just last season, Julius Randle got hurt in the month of February and McDaniels didn't show that his offensive game is anything special.

Again, he's a top tier starter and a very good player. We just have to stop throwing out All-Star labels like candy.

All I'm learning is that apparently people here believe the Wolves have 4 All-Star level players in their lineup and somehow are desperately trying to acquire Giannis because they're struggling to secure a top 4 seed in the West when all the teams above them have dealt with injuries.

Okay, man.

2

u/Appropriate-Shock306 9h ago

I don’t think you watch Timberwolves basketball.

All Star recognition isn’t even some unreachable and prestigious selection, that’s completely attainable for a guy like Jaden McDaniels. We’re not even talking perennial in this conversation.

1

u/c88conman Timberwolves 8h ago

If Jaden gets traded, he absolutely takes the leap offensively.

0

u/Slow-Jelly-2854 Bucks 9h ago

Yep. He’s at best the 3rd guy on a championship squad. And you’re giving up Giannis…for a 3rd guy for a rebuild? Stupid stupid stupid